Pool Buddy - water testing
By Darran Horan
Pool Buddy is a water chemistry calculation tool for pool owners and service professionals on iOS.
The App DNA
What makes this app unique?
It removes the manual complexity of LSI and conductivity calculations, displacing the need for paper-based logs or expensive subscription-gated alternatives.
For Swimming pool owners and professional pool maintenance technicians requiring on-site water chemistry calculations.
What does it look like?
Key features
Calculates water balance status to identify scale forming or corrosive conditions, serving as a primary retention hook for professional users.
Automates processing of test results for pool maintenance, acting as the core utility for all user segments.
Supports tracking for domestic, commercial, indoor, outdoor, spa, and hot tub water profiles, enabling professional service workflows.
How much does it cost?
Pool Buddy is currently free with no observable in-app purchase or subscription gates, positioning it as a low-friction entry point for users.
Velocity
Maintenance developmentperformanceUX improvementsShow more...
With only one release in the last three months, the development cadence is currently in a maintenance state. The latest release provided only minor improvements and bug fixes, offering no new features or content. This indicates a focus on stability rather than active feature expansion. Future updates are expected to follow this infrequent, maintenance-oriented pattern.
Who built it?
User Sentiment
What do users think recently?
How are ratings & reviews evolving?
Not enough recent reviews to extract reliable themes yet.
Read the full review analysisCompetition
Competitive landscape for Pool Buddy - water testing
How's the Utilities market?
Pool Buddy occupies a niche, free-utility position in the Utilities category. With zero ratings currently recorded, the app relies on its zero-cost, no-gate model to attract users who would otherwise pay for premium-tier calculation tools.
Read the market outlookThe rivals identified
Unlock the deeper market read.
Access the full report for freeThe Analyst's Read
Key takeaways for Pool Buddy - water testing
Where is it heading?
The pool maintenance utility market is consolidating around apps that offer automated test-strip scanning and hardware integration. Pool Buddy remains in a maintenance-only state, which leaves it exposed to rivals that offer a more seamless workflow for service professionals.
- The 84-day update gap indicates a maintenance-only posture, which limits the app's ability to respond to competitor feature expansion.
- Zero user ratings prevent the app from establishing the social proof necessary to compete with established, higher-rated utility apps.
The SWOT
- Free-tier access to professional-grade LSI calculations
- Multi-pool support profile for diverse maintenance needs
- Integration of test-strip photo scanning for automated entry
- Offline-first data storage for remote service environments
Next best moves
Ship test-strip photo scanning because manual entry is the primary friction point → increase daily active usage
+ 1 more prioritized moveThe counter-intuitive read
The lack of a subscription gate is a liability, not an asset…
Read the full takeBottom line
Pool Buddy provides a clean, cost-free utility, but its maintenance-only posture leaves it vulnerable to rivals that integrate automated testing hardware. The app must pivot toward automated data entry to maintain relevance against competitors that offer more than just manual calculation tools.
Unlock 2 critical frictions, 2 market threats, 1 more prioritized move and the analyst’s take.
Access the full report for freeFAQ
Is Pool Buddy free to use?
Does Pool Buddy work offline?
What is the difference between Pool Buddy and other pool testing apps?
Is Pool Buddy suitable for professional pool engineers?
Sources
- [1] App Store
- [2] Developer website, source
Report last updated